Gold vs. Platinum for a newbie

I admit I’m a newbie, but I’m doing a ton of research…and this forum seems to be the best in regard to answering the ??? I have. I’m waiting for my new hp Media Center PC (Model: pc 864) to arrive and looking forward to breaking it in with a vengeance.

What I need to know re:dvd x copy:
1) Best media to buy…dvd+r, dvd+rw, dvd-r or dvd-rw? And what speed is best—2X vs. 4x for what I’ll be doing?
2) Do I buy DVD X Gold or hold out for the Platinum edition? Will Platinum indeed combine the best of DVC and Express? (That may be the question on everyone’s mind I know…). Of course we’d all like the ease of Express as well as the 1 disc result, but want the quality and inclusion of all menus/languages that DVC gives—should we think Platinum will make that dream come true?. BTW, whatever product I buy from 321 Studios will be my first from them…

Looking forward to all of your expert advice (just don’t tell me that the HP system is a piece of shit)…Thanks!